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He attended St Mary's from elementary through high school. He was on the football and track teams and a member of the glee club. He was a devoted alumni of St Mary's and was a fan of their basketball and football teams.
After high school he attended Lewis College in Illinois but finished his undergraduate degree at Jersey City State University. After graduation, he worked for the Meadowlands Sports & Exposition Authority and was a member of Local No.137 AFL-CIO. He was self-employed as a real estate broker and later became a NJ certified real estate appraiser and owned and operated Skyline Appraisals for 30 years. He was an expert in his field and highly regarded in the industry.
He is survived by his beloved wife Ine and his children and spouses: Kevin (Krista) Doug (Racheal) Kerry (Greg) and Kim (fiancé, Travis). Jim is predeceased by his son, NJ State Trooper Sergeant First Class Dennis O'Dea (Danielle) in 2021. He has four grandchildren: Doug Jr & Olivia O'Dea, Mackenzie O'Dea and Oliver McPhillips. He is also survived by siblings and spouses: Frank O'Dea Jr. (Kathy) Eileen Koen (Scott) Mary Ann Spitaletta (Richard) and Maureen Strehl (Pat). He is predeceased by his two brothers, Timothy & Daniel. He also has seven nieces/nephews.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and was happiest when he was surrounded by those he loved. He was quick to smile, laugh and especially talk. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone; his lighthearted, easygoing demeanor was enjoyed by all.
He took pride in his Irish heritage and his favorite team, the NY Mets. He especially loved his garden and shared his vegetables with the family and his neighbors. He enjoyed a good cup of hot Dunkin Donuts coffee even in the summertime. He loved listening to music and his favorites were the Beatles, The Beach Boys and more recently, One Republic.
We know Jim's at peace as he joins his loving family members that have passed before him. Although his physical body is no longer with us, his inner light will shine in the hearts of those who loved him.
Family will receive friends and relatives Friday 8:00am to 9:30am at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Avenue, Rutherford. Funeral Mass of Christian Liturgy to follow starting 10am in the Church of Saint Mary, 91 Home Ave, Rutherford.
Interment in George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus NJ 07652
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim's memory to Feeding America or to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Timothy G. Gearity
September 19, 2024
Jim and I were 1968 classmates at SMHS in Rutherford. We did not reunite until June, 1995 when Jim walked into my accounting offices and asked me to be the accountant for a nightclub he was starting-up with two other partners to be named "XVI" located at 16 First Avenue in the East Village of NYC. From that day forward Jim and I became close friends and business partners in two NYC nightclubs and three real estate ventures. Jim had an infectious smile, charismatic personality and an uncanny knack for uncovering unique opportunities. He was an "idea man". If he had been backed by people with "deep pockets" his horizons would have been endless.
I will always think of him as being my very best friend these past thirty years. To most of our business acquaintances we were a team, "Jim and Tim". The modern-day Irish version of "Mike and Ike". We had far too many experiences to write in this space but I'd like to share a few:
NIGHTCLUBS:
XVI took about three years to start seeing success but eventually it became the place to be on Thursday nights in the East Village. Our of our neighbors was "Lucky Chengs", a transgender establishment frequented by Ivana Trump and several celebrities. The New York headquarters for the Hell's Angels were just around the quarter on 3rd Street. It had been a rough neighborhood but was just beginning to change over with Mayor Guiliani. I'll always remember, not that this was typical of our clientele, but the most elegantly dressed customer in the bar the opening evening was a featured dancer at "Lucky Chengs" who left the club that evening with our bouncer.
XVI did so well that we started another club "Magnum 357" located in the heart of SoHo at 357 West Broadway near Broome Street. The concept was to attract the "A" crowd of NYC nightlife. We eventually had 20 partners. We had so much bad luck with this place that I felt the place had been built over an "Indian Burial Ground". To start with, it cost us twice what we had budgeted for. On the night of the grand-opening in mid-June of 1997, my great friend Carolyn Smallwood arranged for Jim, myself and Carolyn to make a grand entrance in front of the club by limousine. Well, I've never experienced anything like this trip over to the city before or since. The limo picks the three of us up at Carolyn's house in Rutherford. The skies looked threatening towards the city but it didn't start to rain until we got onto Route 3. By the time we got to Tonnele Avenue the rains became torrential causing a flash flood. The downpour cascading down the steep hills of Union City flooded Tonnele Avenue instantaneously. Fountains of blackwater two to three feet high were gushing up out of the openings of the sewer plate covers. As we approached the "Kennedy Textile Company" building a three-foot deep puddle of water, for as far as we could see, blocked our path. We stopped in the middle of the roadway but only for a brief few seconds while the driver sized up the situation. He decided he could make it. The water was coming up over the hood of the car. Ms. Smallwood, a dynamic black woman in her late sixties, who had dressed extravagantly for the occasion, looked at me and said she hoped she didn't have to swim to save herself. The driver somehow managed to drive through the flooded waters without the vehicle stalling or floating away. The rain soon stops and we take the viaduct towards the Holland Tunnel. Suddenly, hail the size of baseballs began striking the car. NO EXAGERATION!! The limo driver ducked the car under the protection of the overhead shields of one of the gas stations until the storm passed. We proceed into NYC but cannot get onto West Broadway to make a grand entrance in front of the place as the sewers in that area had backed up.
JIM AND I BUY A BOAT.
One of our real estate ventures was to buy a house in June, 2005 on a lagoon in Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Well, what's a house on a lagoon without a boat? Even if you know nothing at all about operating one. Jim finds a 22-foot boat reasonably priced up in Rye, NY, about 30 miles north of NYC. We discuss how are we going to take the boat 130 miles to get to the berth at Little Egg Harbor. We actually considered taking it out to sea. Can you imagine two idiots with no or limited experience taking a 22-foot boat out on the ocean. Thankfully we settled upon hiring a man to transport the boat by vehicle the 130 miles to the marina in Little Egg Harbor. Well, the day arrives. Jim and I are waiting for the driver at the marina. The driver shows up with the boat. He backs the trailer hitch with the boat down the ramp and the boat starts to settle into the water. The driver maneuvers the trailer off the ramp and the three of us get into the boat for the trip over to the dock by our house. Suddenly, the boat starts to sink right in the middle of the marina. The driver looks inside the boat and sees that the boat is filling with water and, unless drastic action is taken, the boat will sink in the marina and screw up the marina's business. The problem was that there was a screw that is supposed to be inserted in the bottom of the boat that, if missing, will cause the boat to fill up with water. Well, the screw was missing. We had to jump in the water to guide the boat back to the ramp so the driver could get the boat back on the trailer. We were lucky that day.
SEPTEMBER 11 APPOINTMENT AT 2 WORLD TRADE CENTER
Magnum 357 had financial problems right out of the gate. The non-payment of rent and sales tax eventually came to a head. The week of September 11 Jim and I had both received letters to attend a sales tax audit on the 86th Floor of the South Tower of the WTC at 9:30 am. Fortunately, we met with a NYC tax specialist on Monday, September 10 at noon. He agreed to go to the WTC the next day in our place. However, instead of him going to the WTC that fateful morning the two agents decided to go to his office in mid-town Manhattan. That saved their lives.
Again, Jim was an idea man and my best friend. Not only will I miss these adventures we had together but he was a truly unique guy.
Best,
Tim Gearity
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Danny O´Dea
September 17, 2024
My memories of Jim always revolve around his stories! He was always in my ear, every time we saw each other, and the stories were varied, funny, interesting and entertaining! I also remember Jim giving me the history of the O´Deas from past generations! I will miss his kind words and gentle smile! I´m sure he is with Dennis tonight, telling stories and watching over us!
Mary Ann O´Dea
September 17, 2024
Jimmy welcomed me into the O´Dea clan 65 years ago as The wise leader of the pack! His opinion of me was "aunt Mary Ann you laugh funny "....He made me smile and laugh for the last 65 years!!!! eternal rest, dear Jim .:.. with heartfelt memories from aunt Mary Ann and our clan of O´Dea men
Xxxxxxx
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